Sorry about the hiatus, I've had a lot going on and I wasn't able to upload as often as I said I would. I'll be uploading as often as I can though.
I hope you enjoy this chapter!
The clacking of heels resounded through the café as the owner of the parasol strolled with a soft smile over to the counter. The rain began to fall heavier outside its doors. The friendly "Salutations!" was still heard from the back of the café, since Penny had briefly disappeared to get more supplies from their storeroom. "I'll be right there!"
Ruby and Weiss lost interest in the customer and turned back around to face Yang and the empty seat next to her. "What's wrong with Blake?" Weiss inquired, "She left kind of abruptly."
Yang shrugged while still inspecting the newcomer. Weiss returned the shrug and took a sip of her coffee. Before Yang looked away, the stranger turned at the mention of Blake's name and locked eyes with Yang. The first thing Yang noticed about her was her hair. At first she looked just like a regular brunette. But now it was obvious that the other side of her hair was dyed pink and white, matching her umbrella. The stranger smirked as she winked at Yang. Yang immediately broke her attention away from the prying eyes. She tried to focus on Ruby and Weiss, glancing back at the stranger only to find her still keeping a watchful eye on Yang.
"Oh hello!" Penny exclaimed at the customer as she came out of the storeroom, "I'll be right with you!" Penny ran back to what she was doing, and finished up the group's drinks. She called for Ruby to come pick them up, and skipped over to the front.
"Sorry about the wait! Would you like your regular?" Penny asked.
The pink haired girl broke the staring contest with Yang, and nodded with enthusiasm.
"I noticed your friend isn't with you. Should I still make hers?" Penny asked, tilting her head.
She nodded again.
"Alright! I'll be right back!" Penny returned to the drink making machines to continue working while humming to herself. The stranger glanced back at Yang one last time before pulling out a small white phone and began to tap away at it.
"Yaaaaang." Ruby said loudly, trying to get her sister's attention.
"Huh?" Yang blinked, returning to the world.
"You were spacing out." Weiss commented.
"Sorry. I was… thinking." Yang didn't know why, but she had a fire in her stomach. She didn't trust whoever this stranger was, and the more she thought about it, the more she believed that Blake left because of her. Who was she?
"That's a first!" Ruby laughed. Weiss giggled with her.
"Heh, nice one sis…" Yang sighed while taking a sip of her drink.
Just then, the doorbell chimed once more followed by a crash of thunder and the pink haired girl disappeared into the rain. Penny finished wiping down the counters after she left, and headed over to the three girls.
"Oh hey Penny!" Ruby smiled, "You're already done making her drink?"
"Yes! I'm surprised her friend wasn't here with her," Penny laughed, "but they got their usual. Vanilla bean frappe with chocolate chips and strawberry drizzle and an extra hot latte with cinnamon powder steamed with the milk."
Weiss had taken her attention off of her nails and focused on her partner. "You know that girl, Ruby?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yep. Her name is Neo." Ruby noted with a careless tone. She took a sip and looked over at Weiss and noticed she had a slight glare in her eye. "Of course, I only know that because that's the name she gave to put on the cups." She chuckled nervously, "don't worry Weiss, the only thing I know about her is her name and what she orders!" Ruby hugged Weiss, almost making spilling her drink.
"Hmph. Either way, that girl seemed rude." She huffed while changing the subject, "She didn't even open her mouth to order. Does she just expect you to know exactly what she wants?"
"I think she's mute. I would say deaf, but she seems to hear what we're saying. She's never talked to us, and I think I've seen her using sign language, but I know she always writes down what she wants to drink." Penny informed, "At least anytime I've seen her here."
Weiss felt a hint of embarrassment, calling someone rude for something they couldn't help, although she still felt a bit skeptical. But the feeling didn't last long, as Blake had returned and quietly sat down next to Yang. "Thank you for the tea, Penny." She said with a soft tone before enjoying a lukewarm sip.
"It's no problem at all Blake! I wish I could stay, but I've got to get back to work just in case we have any more customers. It was a pleasure meeting you all!" Penny cheered while shaking hands with everyone and giving Ruby a hug that lasted a little too long for Weiss' taste.
Yang was worried about Blake, but decided it would be best to talk to her in private about her sudden leave.
The rain had settled by the time the girls decided to leave. Ruby and Weiss said their goodbyes to everyone and held hands as they walked out of the café to go enjoy the rest of the night together. Yang and Blake followed suit, heading out to Yang's motorcycle. "Wanna spend the night, Blake?" Yang asked with a smile, pulling her girlfriend in for a hug before putting on their helmets.
"I don't know, I'm kind of… tired." Blake's words seemed to droop, mirroring her shoulders. She fumbled her black helmet in her hands while she spoke. "I think I'm going to call it a night and go to bed."
Yang frowned. "Well, you know you can call me if you need me, babe." She gave her another hug and a peck on the cheek. She then gave a comforting smile before hopping onto her bike. She donned her helmet and patted the seat behind her, insinuating for Blake to sit down. Blake returned the half-smile, and joined her on the bike.
The ride to Blake's home seemed longer than usual. The reflection of traffic lights glimmered in the street, guiding the light amount of vehicles on the street. Yang's stomach was still burning with the thought of the pink haired girl. 'Why would Blake leave after seeing her? What makes her think it was okay to stare at me the whole time? Does she know me?' She had so many questions, but didn't want to be overbearing to Blake. When they finally arrived at Blake's house, Yang helped her off of the bike, and walked her to the door with an arm looped around her waist.
"Let me know if you change your mind!" Yang reassured.
"I will. Let me know when you get home safely, okay?"
"No worries, I always do!"
Blake smiled and seemed to feel a little better after their goodnight kiss, and went inside as Yang revved up her motorcycle.
The drive back to Yang's apartment felt longer and colder. When she stopped at a red light a few blocks away from her destination, she noticed something colorful glinting in the corner of her eye. She looked over to see a couple of silhouettes in an alleyway. A lighter flickered in the darkness, illuminating the two figures. The shadowed person with the lighter seemed to be lighting a cigarette, and the other was shorter and seemed to be holding a pink umbrella.
Yang's stomach turned at the mere thought that this could be the same person from the café earlier. She watched intently as another person joined them.
BEEP
A car horn blasted behind Yang, accompanied by a voice yelling about the green light. Yang jumped, and sped forward. 'I have a bad feeling about this…' She had mixed feelings about this, but her gut was telling her to turn around. Further down the road, she decided to follow her instincts and drifted a U-turn and raced back towards the alley.